On the corner of East 161st St. and River Avenue sits the new home of the Yankee’s, Yankee Stadium II. I realize this is the second new stadium I have written about, but it couldn’t be more perfect, considering tonight is Game 6 in New York and the potential win for the Bronx Bombers. This will be the 27th World Series victory for the organization.
I first got a glimpse of the interior in 'Pinstripe Pride', and article in Contract Magazine’s August 2009 issue. Inevitably, the interior was custom made, and had an extreme attention to detail. This was, and still is, in stark contrast to the rest of the building climate this year. The estimated cost of the stadium alone (not parking, civil improvements, etc.) was $1.5 billion and designed by HOK Sports, with hospitality interiors by II by IV Design Associates.
In true “New Yorker” form, the construction didn’t just start in 2006. It dripped with sentimentality and purpose, and started on the 58th anniversary of Babe Ruth’s death. Quite fitting for the downfall of his “house” across the street, I think. Rumor has it that a worker put a David Ortiz (Red Sox player) jersey in the wall of the home dugout to return the favor for the “Curse of the Bambino” at Fenway Park. He was “tattled on” by other workers and was forced to exhume the remnant.
I first got a glimpse of the interior in 'Pinstripe Pride', and article in Contract Magazine’s August 2009 issue. Inevitably, the interior was custom made, and had an extreme attention to detail. This was, and still is, in stark contrast to the rest of the building climate this year. The estimated cost of the stadium alone (not parking, civil improvements, etc.) was $1.5 billion and designed by HOK Sports, with hospitality interiors by II by IV Design Associates.
In true “New Yorker” form, the construction didn’t just start in 2006. It dripped with sentimentality and purpose, and started on the 58th anniversary of Babe Ruth’s death. Quite fitting for the downfall of his “house” across the street, I think. Rumor has it that a worker put a David Ortiz (Red Sox player) jersey in the wall of the home dugout to return the favor for the “Curse of the Bambino” at Fenway Park. He was “tattled on” by other workers and was forced to exhume the remnant.
Why did they build a new stadium, you ask? Greed? Kind of. Originally, owner George Steinbrenner deemed the South Bronx too dangerous for fans in the early 1980’s. Just after that, the Yankees gained popularity and because Mattingly wouldn’t cut his hair. Kidding. They were winning, so it allowed for increased security at the park, and record fan turnouts. So basically, across the street didn’t look so bad anymore. In the early 21st Century, Mr. Giuliani stated publicly that there were negotiations in the works, but new Mayor Michael Bloomberg wanted the funding for the new stadium (and new Mets stadium) halted. The final result was that the city owns the property still, charges the Yankees organization rent, and doesn’t require them to pay taxes. It was finally opened in April of this year.
Okay, the whole point of this blog is to get you all pumped up for the game tonight, so I will leave you now with pictures of the stadium and images of World Series victories…but first, a piece of an old familiar song….
"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team.
If they don't win it's a shame.
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."
– Jack Norworth
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/poetry/po_stmo.shtml
Note: The following interiors pictures are from Contract magazine, and designed by II by IV Design Associates.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/poetry/po_stmo.shtml
Note: The following interiors pictures are from Contract magazine, and designed by II by IV Design Associates.
Lou Gehrig’s mug on the wall of The Legends Suite Dugout Lounge for premium seats. Ticket holders pay upwards of $350/per ticket for the game, but do have access to this area. I am a big fan of super graphics!
NYY Steak: Open to the public with GORGEOUS black oak floors, custom “Yankees” carpets and “walls of backlit, acid –etched bronze mirrors of the or autographs of people who have contributed to Yankee History” –Contract Magazine
Access to the Legends Suite Club at Gate 4. The blue glass flanking the stairs have interlocking NY logo to make up the pattern. I haven’t seen this in person, but it already looks a little dated to me.
A Scene from the past…
(image from: www.images.pictopia.com)
Tonight???
for more pictures, please visit:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/new_stadium_photos.jsp
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